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How much is a beverage package on Uniworld River Cruises?

  • Michael Rodriguez
  • 11 October 2025
  • 6 min read

How much is a beverage package on Uniworld River Cruises?

Luxury river cruising is a unique travel experience, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises sets itself apart as one of the world’s most elegant, all-inclusive operators. From sailing the Danube’s fairy-tale towns to exploring the Douro’s vineyards, travelers enjoy exceptional cuisine, curated excursions, and personalized service.One common question among travelers is: “How much is a beverage package on Uniworld River Cruises?” Understanding this is important because drinks can significantly impact your overall cruise experience and budget.

1. Uniworld’s All-Inclusive Beverage Philosophy

A. Luxury Without Extra Costs

Uniworld follows a true all-inclusive model, which includes most beverages in your cruise fare. Unlike mainstream cruise lines that sell beverage packages separately, Uniworld’s approach ensures:

  • Premium wines, beers, and spirits included with meals and in lounges.

  • Coffee, tea, juices, and soft drinks throughout the day.

  • Gratuities included for beverage service.

B. Impact on Pricing

Because drinks are included in the fare, there is no standalone beverage package cost in the traditional sense. Guests rarely need to pay extra unless they choose premium tastings or off-menu drinks.

2. Beverage Inclusions on Uniworld Cruises

Uniworld offers an extensive beverage selection, which is unlimited and included in your fare:

A. Wines

  • Regional and international selections served at meals.

  • Examples by region:

    • Douro River: Portuguese reds, whites, and Ports.

    • Rhine/Danube: German Riesling, Austrian Grüner Veltliner.

    • Seine/Rhône: French Bordeaux and Burgundy.

  • Wine flights often available during meals for tasting multiple varietals.

B. Beers

  • Regional craft and premium beers included with meals.

  • Examples: German pilsners, Belgian ales, Portuguese craft beers.

C. Spirits and Cocktails

  • Standard spirits: vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila, liqueurs.

  • Classic cocktails included in lounges and bars.

  • Specialty cocktails occasionally offered during themed evenings or events.

D. Non-Alcoholic Options

  • Freshly brewed coffee, espresso, and specialty teas.

  • Juices, soft drinks, and bottled water included.

3. Optional or Premium Beverage Experiences

While the standard beverage offering is all-inclusive, some optional premium experiences may incur a small additional cost:

  • Private wine cellar tastings.

  • Exclusive wine pairing dinners with rare vintages.

  • Champagne tastings at brunch or special events.

  • Off-ship experiences such as vineyard tours or local brewery visits.

These options are completely optional and are priced individually, usually ranging from $25–$100 per person, depending on exclusivity and rarity.

4. Regional Beverage Highlights

Uniworld curates its beverage selection to complement the local culture and cuisine along each river:

A. Europe

  • France: Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy.

  • Germany & Austria: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, pilsners.

  • Portugal: Douro reds, Vinho Verde, Port.

B. Asia

  • Vietnam & Cambodia (Mekong): Tropical cocktails, rice wine, local beers.

  • India (Ganges): Wine and spirits in compliance with local laws.

C. Africa

  • Egypt (Nile): Wine flights, cocktails, and spirits in culturally appropriate settings.

D. South America

  • Peruvian Amazon: Pisco-based cocktails, tropical juices, and soft drinks.

5. Are Gratuities Included in Beverage Service?

Yes. One of the hallmarks of Uniworld’s all-inclusive luxury is that gratuities for beverage service are already included in the fare, eliminating surprise costs for drinks.

6. Beverage Package Cost Compared to Other Cruise Lines

Cruise LineBeverage Package CostCoverageGratuityNotes

UniworldIncluded in cruise fareWine, beer, spirits, cocktails, coffee, tea, soft drinksIncludedOptional premium tastings extra

Viking RiverOptional ~$199–$399 per personLimited spirits & cocktailsExtraSeparate purchase required

AmaWaterwaysOptional ~$200–$300 per personWine/beer/cocktailsIncludedSeparate from cruise fare

Scenic LuxuryIncludedPremium all-inclusiveIncludedIncludes mini-bar & room service drinks

Uniworld’s all-inclusive model delivers significant value because you pay once for the cruise fare and enjoy unlimited beverages throughout your journey.

7. How Many Drinks Can You Get Per Day?

Uniworld does not impose a strict daily limit on beverages. Guests are encouraged to enjoy:

  • Multiple drinks per meal.

  • Cocktails or spirits at bars and lounges throughout the day.

  • Coffee, tea, and soft drinks anytime.

Essentially, your daily drink count is unlimited, with the caveat that staff may intervene if a guest is visibly intoxicated.

8. Tips for Maximizing the Beverage Experience

  1. Try local wines and beers at each meal.

  2. Attend cocktail receptions — drinks are included.

  3. Use lounges and bars for unlimited beverages.

  4. Participate in wine tastings and pairing dinners.

  5. Enjoy mini-bar and room service offerings included in your fare.

9. Specialty Drinks and Occasional Surcharges

While most beverages are unlimited and included, some premium options may have a fee:

  • Rare wines or vintages.

  • Off-menu cocktails requested outside standard service.

  • Specialty tastings during private events.

These are optional, and the standard all-inclusive drink offering satisfies the needs of most travelers.

10. Responsible Drinking and Policies

  • Legal drinking age compliance is mandatory.

  • Staff may refuse service if a guest appears intoxicated.

  • Outside alcohol is not permitted in cabins.

Uniworld encourages guests to enjoy beverages responsibly while fully experiencing the luxury cruise environment.

11. Comparing Beverage Packages Across Luxury River Cruises

Cruise LinePackage TypeIncluded DrinksDaily Limit

UniworldAll-inclusiveWine, beer, spirits, cocktails, coffee, tea, soft drinksUnlimited

VikingOptionalSpirits, cocktails, wine, beer15–20/day

AmaWaterwaysOptionalWine, beer, cocktailsVaries

ScenicAll-inclusivePremium spirits, wines, cocktails, mini-barUnlimited

Uniworld’s model is particularly attractive for travelers seeking stress-free, all-inclusive beverages without worrying about daily limits.

12. Benefits of Uniworld’s All-Inclusive Beverage Approach

  • Removes the need to purchase a separate drink package.

  • Includes gratuities for service staff.

  • Encourages exploration of regional wines, beers, and cocktails.

  • Simplifies budgeting — no surprise charges at the end of the cruise.

  • Enhances the overall luxury experience, aligning with Uniworld’s all-inclusive philosophy.

13. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How much is a beverage package on Uniworld?

Most drinks are included in the cruise fare — no separate package is required.

Q2: Are cocktails included?

Yes, standard cocktails are included. Rare or off-menu cocktails may cost extra.

Q3: Are soft drinks and coffee included?

Yes, all non-alcoholic beverages are included.

Q4: Is there a daily limit?

No, you can enjoy unlimited beverages throughout the day.

Q5: Are mini-bar drinks included?

Yes, mini-bar and in-room beverages are included in the fare.

Q6: Are gratuities included for beverages?

Yes, gratuities for all beverage service are included in your cruise fare.

14. Maximizing Value on a Uniworld Cruise

  1. Sample regional beverages to enhance your cultural experience.

  2. Attend included wine and cocktail events.

  3. Utilize lounges and bars for social experiences.

  4. Take advantage of room service drinks included in the fare.

  5. Participate in optional tastings or wine dinners for an upgraded experience.

15. how much is a beverage package on Uniworld River Cruises?

  • The majority of beverages — wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, coffee, tea, and soft drinks — are included in the cruise fare.

  • There is no separate beverage package cost in the traditional sense.

  • Optional extras, such as private wine tastings, rare vintages, or specialty cocktail experiences, may carry a small fee.

Uniworld’s all-inclusive beverage policy emphasizes luxury, convenience, and value, allowing guests to enjoy multiple drinks per day — with no formal limits — across meals, lounges, bars, and in-cabin service.

By including gratuities and offering unlimited beverages, Uniworld eliminates one of the most common stressors on other cruises: managing drink costs. Guests can relax, explore regional specialties, and focus on the scenery, cuisine, and unforgettable experiences that make river cruising with Uniworld so exceptional

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